Mineral composition of the white tail deer (Odoicoleus virginianus texanus) antlers in the northeast of Mexico

Abstract

The Mexican Northeaster region is one of the most important ecological regions of the country, given its biodiversity. This biodiversity has favored the national and international hunting utilization of the wild species. The objective of this study was to determine the of white-tailed deer (Odoicoleus virginianus texanus Mearns) antler mineral composition in the northeast of Mexico. A total of 39 deer antlers hunted and registered in the Asociación Nacional de Ganaderos Diversificados Criadores de Fauna (ANGADI) from Animal Management Units (UMA) in the Mexican Northeaster. The antler were evaluated and classified with the Boone & Crockett International System and a tissue sampled by getting a cut of the antlers with a stainless steel blade, to determine the concentration of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na) and magnesium (Mg). The data were statistically analyzed with a general linear model, by grouping the antlers by type (MASS e INDEX) in three groups (G1=<69.0 cm; G2=69.0 to 74.4 cm; and G3=>74.4 cm). The concentration of Ca, P, Na and Mg were 26.7; 9.1; 0.7 and 0.4%, respectively. There were not effects (P>0.05) in the classification of the antlers. It determined that the mass and the index did not affect the concentration of minerals in the antlers.